Rocket Lab Completes Second JAXA Launch, Deploying Eight Satellites Including 25× Folding Antenna
Rocket Lab completed its second dedicated JAXA launch, deploying eight satellites—including educational, ocean-monitoring and an origami-foldable 25× antenna—on the Electron rocket from New Zealand. “Kakushin Rising” was Rocket Lab’s 8th launch this year and 87th overall, following its December 2025 JAXA mission and reinforcing Electron’s reliability for national space agencies.
1. Mission Details
Rocket Lab executed the “Kakushin Rising” mission from its Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, deploying eight satellites for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program using the Electron rocket.
2. Payload Breakdown
The launch delivered educational small satellites, an ocean-monitoring satellite, an ultra-small multispectral camera demonstrator and an origami-foldable antenna that expands to 25 times its packed size upon deployment.
3. Partnership Milestones
This marks Rocket Lab’s second dedicated JAXA mission, following the December 2025 RAISE-4 deployment, strengthening the collaboration and underscoring Electron’s appeal to national space agencies for precise orbital insertion.
4. Operational Metrics and Outlook
“Kakushin Rising” was Rocket Lab’s 8th launch of 2026 and 87th overall, with upcoming missions scheduled for commercial Earth observation, space technology demonstrations and national security payloads.